CamperKing Santorini

There’s a new wider seat/bed with Isofix in this long-wheelbase 5/6-seater VW camper

Amongst CamperKing’s extensive range of VW Transporter-based campervans, the Santorini is described as a six-seater and long-wheelbase only. To get the sextet of seats, however, you’ll have to opt for a double passenger seat in the cab which, as we all know, is uncomfortable to travel in, awkward to swivel, and prevents any walk-through to the rear. So, a five-seat Santorini, with individual cab chairs (each featuring adjustable armrests) is the way to go unless you absolutely must have room for six backsides.

AN £80,0000 VW CAMPER

As well as those separate seats, luxuriously trimmed in red leather with a cross-stitched pattern in the centres (a £1,080 option), this particular Santorini seemed to have all the options thrown at it, resulting in a list price – deep breath time – of £80,000. 

Those red seats pick up on the striking exterior in Fortana Red metallic. The base vehicle is a nearly new Highline-spec T6.1 with the 150hp engine and DSG automatic combination that savvy buyers will search out. But the spec goes further than it did when this Transporter came out of Hannover.

It has Comfort lowering springs (£1,036), attractive five-spoke 20in alloy wheels with BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres (£1,674), CamperKing graphics (£60), side bars (£474), a sunshade awning (£954) and a black gloss kit, including the VW badges (£1,218). It certainly looks the part, even if the barn doors (rather than a tailgate) and sliding windows with inset panes let the side down a tad.

EXTRA SPACE AND NEW TITAN BED SYSTEM

Inside, the long-wheelbase van’s extra space is ideal for dog owners and families but the star feature is the new M1 pull-tested Titan Beds seat system, which includes Isofix. As a seat it has various reclined positions, while as a bed it is wider than before – 1.28m – with a length of 1.83m. Another plus is the chaise longue position for the bed, achieved by raising the rearmost section. Dining is catered for by three miniature tables (each 43cm by 25cm) that store under the back seat. Two sit on either side of the bench, the third serves the swivelled cab passenger chair.

IMPRESSIVE BOOT SPACE 

Around the back, CamperKing claims “industry-leading boot space” and it’s certainly up there with the better designs, even it can’t match those with sliding seat versatility. However, the carpeted floor here is ill-judged for practicality and the exposed gas pipe leading to the optional external barbecue point looked vulnerable.

KITCHEN COULD BE BETTER

Back inside, the long galley has plenty of worktop, despite the wide rear seat, and the lower/curved section at the front of the kitchen won’t restrict tall drivers getting comfy, which can be a real issue in some rivals. A brolly holder here is a neat touch.
The combined two-burner and sink and the 51-litre Vitrifrigo fridge are fairly standard campervan fare, while the tambour-doored cupboard alongside the bench seat offers a generous amount of storage. We liked the large under-seat drawer, too, but the open-fronted locker over the bench would have to be emptied for travel and we’d recommend the same philosophy with the style-over-substance wine rack, too. The furniture’s knock-on edging and the top locker doors that sit proud of their frames might be acceptable in a budget conversion but not at £80k.

LIMITED VENTILATION

The roof, from Pop Top UK, also lets the side down, with minimal ventilation. Its three windows let daylight in but the roof bed (1.88m by 1.09m mattress on a solid base) will become stuffy in warmer climes.

The spec of the Santorini includes a 20-litre fresh water tank, a new power management system and a wireless charging pad for your phone. The Webasto diesel heating fitted here is a £1,674 option.


 

The extra space of the long-wheelbase T6.1 is useful and storage is generous in the Santorini, which has the advantage of being a five or six-seater. However, some details let the side down, especially considering the £80,000 price as tested.